Drug Diversion Insights with Terri Vidals

• Securing the Unsecured: A Mayo Clinic Study on Propofol Disposal and Diversion Mitigation

  Propofol is one of the most vulnerable medications for diversion in healthcare — not because it lacks abuse potential, but because it lacks the regulatory oversight applied to controlled substances.In this episode of Rxpert Solutions, I’m joined by Michael T. Ring and Dale M. Pfrimmer to discuss their Mayo Clinic quality-improvement study published in Critical Care Nurse:“Propofol as a Drug of Diversion: Changing Disposal Practices to Reduce Risk.”Their work uncovered a major safety gap: before intervention, 44.1% of propofol bottles found in ICU waste bins were still full and accessible for diversion. After implementing activated carbon disposal pouches and specialized bottle-opening tools, that number dropped to zero.We explore:- The methodology behind their intervention- Overcoming education and workflow challenges- How environmental stewardship intersects with diversion prevention- Why their success led to system-wide adoption across all ICUs and the EDThis episode highlights how simple, practical changes can meaningfully reduce diversion risk and protect healthcare professionals — even for medications outside DEA scheduling.More from Rxpert Solutions: https://www.rxpert.solutions/?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=insights&utm_campaign=mike-ring

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• How Controlled Substance Waste Impacts Pharmacy Teams

  Controlled substance waste doesn’t just impact budgets — it creates a significant and measurable burden on pharmacy teams, workflows, and staffing capacity.In this episode of Rxpert Solutions, we welcome back John Hertig and Les Louden to discuss their newest study:“Assessing Pharmacy Costs of Intravenous Push Controlled Substance Waste in Hospital-Based Areas: A Multi-Site Study”Published in the journal Pharmacy (2025).This study is the first to quantify the pharmacy workforce costs associated with IV push controlled substance waste. It builds on years of research from John and Les, offering one of the most complete pictures to date of how waste impacts hospitals operationally and financially.If you’ve followed their previous studies, this episode connects all the dots — revealing the true scope of waste and why it matters for every hospital in the U.S.Thanks to our sponsor: MIDAS Healthcare SolutionsLearn more about how MidasVIEW™ safeguards patient and caregiver safety while driving compliance in controlled substance waste management: https://midashs.com/More from Rxpert Solutions: https://www.rxpert.solutions/

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• Anticipatory Compounding: Navigating the FDA-DEA Divide in Hospital Pharmacies

  Anticipatory compounding of controlled substances may seem like a simple operational efficiency—but it sits in a tricky regulatory space where FDA and DEA expectations don’t always align.In this Quick Take from Rxpert Solutions, we break down what hospital pharmacies need to know to stay compliant while maintaining safe and efficient sterile compounding practices.You’ll learn:- How FDA and DEA interpretations differ- Why documentation and clear internal policies are essential- What your pharmacy must have in place before batching IVs- Practical guidance for directors, compliance officers, and sterile compounding teamsShort, focused, and actionable—this episode gives you the clarity you need to navigate this regulatory gray zone with confidence.More from Rxpert Solutions: https://www.rxpert.solutions/?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=quick_take&utm_campaign=anticipatory_compounding

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• Culture First, Compliance Second: Rethinking Drug Diversion Prevention

  What if the key to preventing drug diversion isn’t more policies—but more trust?In this episode of Rxpert Solutions, I talk with Shealee Mitchell, M.Jur., BSN, RN, a diversion specialist who’s transforming how healthcare organizations approach drug diversion prevention through a relationship-first model.With experience as a pharmacy tech, nurse, and Chief Experience Officer, Shealee explains why focusing on culture before compliance leads to stronger, more sustainable results.We discuss:- How building trust reduced missing medications- Why “face time” beats email in prevention- How collaboration with HR and legal strengthens accountability- The power of celebrating wins to reinforce positive cultureThis conversation challenges traditional compliance models and proves that culture—not fear—is the foundation of effective diversion prevention.More from Rxpert Solutions: https://www.rxpert.solutions/?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=insights&utm_campaign=shealee

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• Building Better Foundations: Essential Prep Work for Effective Diversion Monitoring

  Before launching your diversion monitoring software, it’s crucial to make sure the foundation is strong.In this episode of Rxpert Solutions, I’m joined by Stacy Hershman, a former diversion analyst with experience across multiple healthcare specialties, who shares her unique insights on what truly makes diversion monitoring effective.We discuss:- Why groundwork matters more than technology- The risks of rushing into implementation without preparation- How to avoid meaningless alerts and staff frustration- Tips for new diversion analysts entering the fieldWhether you’re starting or improving your diversion monitoring program, this episode will help you build a structure that actually prevents diversion—not just tracks it.More from Rxpert Solutions: https://www.rxpert.solutions/?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=insights&utm_campaign=hershman

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